A Buzz From The Fire: PhotoFeed Contest - Macro Photography Round 152

Some time last week, I had lit the firewood to prepare lunch, and out of nowhere, a black insect, flew out. It buzzed around, trying to fly but was unable to get high.

After much trial without success, it started crawling and gently made it's way onto this leaf. A great opportunity to capture the moment on camera, so I snapped a couple of photos.

---

---

---

---

---

At first, I didn't know what to make of the insect, although it kinda looked like a bee. But looking at it's color - black, and size, which is bigger than a bee, I thought otherwise.

However, curiosity led me to search it up, turns out, it's actually a bee, Violet carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) to be precise.

The search further showed that;

• Carpenter bees are like the woodworkers of the bee world. They burrow into dead woods like trees, decks, or furniture, to make nests.

Now I know what was behind the buzzing I heard when I picked up a dry log while fetching firewood from the bush by our backyard. Guess that's the one in the photo. The heat made it fly out when I lit the fire.

• Here's the kicker, Carpenter bees have no colonies like honey bees do. You can call them solo players – no big hives. Seems like they don't produce honey too. 🤔 Hmmm, what a waste.

• Well, they're not entirely a waste. Lol. At least, they play a significant role in nature - pollinating plants and crops as they buzz around.

Since the insect is a bee, apparently it has stinging tendency. Good a thing I was careful while photographing it, as if I knew it could sting when provoked. I can't deal. Hehehe.

Have you had an encounter with a Carpenter bee before? I'd love to read from you.

---

**Author's Photos Captured With Redmi 14c. **
Location, Abia State, Nigeria.

---

Still the #threadsaddict 😂

Posted Using INLEO